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Description of Malaria

DefinitionAccording to dictionary definition  Malaria is a serious illness characterized by high fever with chills. It is transmitted by a mosquito. Many people all over the world are infected with malaria every year. About a million cases of malaria occur in India annually.  Causes and Risk FactorsAccording to dictionary definition  Malaria is caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium. Five types (species) of Plasmodium can cause malaria. These include:1. P. vivax2. P. falciparum3. P. malariae4. P. ovale5. P. knowlesi

In India, malaria is mainly caused by P. vivax and P. falciparum. Malaria due to P. vivax is more prevalent in plain areas, while P. falciparum is responsible for most of the malaria  cases in hilly areas and those covered with forests.Malaria is transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito. The bite transfers the parasite (sporozoites) into the blood which travels to the liver. In the liver, the parasites mature and multiply to form merozoites. This is followed by an invasion of the red blood cells that causes malaria.    Signs and SymptomsAccording to dictionary definition  High fever with chills is the cardinal symptom of malaria. Fever is usually intermittent but can be continuous also. The attacks (malarial paroxysm) occur in three stages:1. Cold stage — sudden feeling of cold and shivering2. Hot stage — high fever3. Sweating stage
Other symptoms include:1. Headache2. Nausea and vomiting3. Body pain especially in the muscles and joints4. Loss of appetite
Severe cases may cause:1. Anemia2. Bleeding3. Jaundice4. Convulsions  InvestigationsAccording to dictionary definition  Diagnosis involves finding the type of parasite causing malaria. The doctor will take medical history along with symptoms. Tests include:1. Microscopy of thick blood smear to detect and identify the malarial parasite2. Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) that detects circulating parasite antigens  TreatmentAccording to dictionary definition  Treatment for malaria includes administration of the medicine chloroquine. For the severe form of disease  IV quinine or quinidine may be given. Other drugs that may be prescribed include:1. Doxycycline2. Tetracycline3. Clindamycin

Primaquine is used to kill dormant liver forms of P. vivax and P. ovale. Recently, chloroquine resistance has been seen in P. falciparum from some areas. Mefloquine, halofantrine, and lumefantrine may be used for the treatment of malaria caused by the chloroquine-resistant form of P. falciparum.  Complications and When Should You See a DoctorAccording to dictionary definition  Complications may occur if treatment does not begin in time. These include:1. Severe anemia2. Difficulty in breathing3. Drop in blood sugar4. Organ failure (lung, liver, or kidney failure)5. Blood coagulation [Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)]6. Rupture of spleen leading to massive bleeding7. If malaria infects the brain, meningitis may occur. Malaria can be fatal in severe cases.

See a doctor if you have a high fever with chills, especially if you have mosquitoes breeding around your home.
Home remedies for malaria  According to dictionary definition  Try the following home remedies to bring down fever and treat other symptoms of malaria:  1. Boil some basil leaves along with black pepper in 2 glasses of water until reduced to half. Drink this decoction whenever you have a fever.2. Drink neem tea after meals to treat malaria. Boil a few neem leaves in water and use this decoction as tea.3. Eat grapefruit or drink its juice to combat the malaria parasite.  4. Take half an inch of cinnamon stick and grind it. Boil in water. Drink it with honey and a pinch of black pepper.5. Eat citrus fruits such as orange, lime, and lemon to boost immunity and speed up recovery.
Prognosis and PreventionAccording to dictionary definition  With timely treatment, malaria can be cured and its transmission to other people can be prevented. However, delay in treatment could threaten life. This may happen due to a failure to diagnose malaria in time.Prevention of malaria can be achieved by public health and community-based programs that aim at controlling the breeding of mosquitoes and destroying their breeding sites.1. Wear clothes that cover arms, legs, and feet.2. Avoid sleeping or staying long in open areas.3. Use mosquito repellants in your home and clothes.4. Use mosquito screens on doors windows to prevent entry of mosquitoes in the homes.
Use the following tips to prevent breeding of mosquitoes:1. Do not let water collect and stand in areas around your house.2. Do not keep broken pots, tires, or any waste material clogged up in or outside the home.3. Practice regular fogging with mosquito repellents or larvicides.  ReferencesAccording to dictionary definition  National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi. National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of malaria in India 2014.Rosenthal PJ, Kamya MR. Malaria. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI eds. Goldman €™s Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 345.